Preview Roundups
July 28, 2017
Colorado at Washington 7:05 PM ET
The Colorado Rockies signaled their intention to stay in the thick of the National League playoff race by acquiring coveted reliever Pat Neshek from the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, now they just need to start winning again. The Rockies will try to snap a three-game slide when they visit the Washington Nationals on Friday for the opener of a three-game series.
Tampa Bay at NY Yankees 7:05 PM ET
The New York Yankees are finding ways to win games again and could climb into first place in the American League East Friday night when they host the Tampa Bay Rays for the second of an important four-game set. Brett Gardner tripled and scored the tying run in the ninth inning and drilled a walk-off homer in the 11th as New York rallied for a 6-5 triumph Thursday to extend its winning streak to four.
Atlanta at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves open a four-game series Friday at the Philadelphia Phillies, but one of the rebuilding team’s cornerstones will not be there. Atlanta sent slumping rookie shortstop Dansby Swanson to Triple-A Gwinnett after Wednesday’s 10-3 loss at Arizona, hoping he can get regular playing time after a 2-for-40 slump found the 23-year-old spending most of his time on the bench in favor of the hot-hitting Johan Camargo.
LA Angels at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
It remains to be seen whether the Toronto Blue Jays can make a late-season run for a playoff berth, but they are having no trouble conjuring up some late-game magic. Fresh off a drama-filled four-game sweep of Oakland, Toronto hosts another American League West opponent when the Los Angeles Angels open a three-game set at Rogers Centre on Friday night.
Cincinnati at Miami 7:10 PM ET
Derek Dietrich has recorded as many hits in his last two games as he had in his previous 11 contests combined. The 28-year-old aims to extend his sudden hot stretch as the host Miami Marlins vie for their sixth win in eight outings on Friday in the second contest of their four-game series against the reeling Cincinnati Reds.
Kansas City at Boston 7:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox made it back from the west coast still in first place in the American League East, but things certainly could have gone better. The Kansas City Royals, who visit the Red Sox for the opener of a three-game series on Friday, are on their own quest for first place and look like the hottest team in baseball with wins in eight straight.
Houston at Detroit 7:10 PM ET
Houston ace Dallas Keuchel makes his first start since June 2 on Friday when the Astros continue their nine-game road trip with the first of three contests against the reeling Detroit Tigers. The return of Keuchel - undefeated in 11 starts this season (9-0) - gives first-place Houston, which is 17 games ahead of Seattle in the American League West, the healthy starting rotation it envisioned coming out of spring training for the first time this season.
Baltimore at Texas 8:05 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles put together one of their best four-game stretches of the season just over a week ago at home against the Texas Rangers, but things haven't gone quite as smooth since. The Orioles will try to find the magic with the bats again when they visit the Rangers for the opener of a three-game series on Friday.
Cleveland at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
Francisco Lindor and the Cleveland Indians hope the comforts of home travel well as the team begins a six-game road trip on Friday with the opener of a three-game series against the spiraling Chicago White Sox. Lindor extended both his hitting streak and the Indians' string of wins to seven games on Thursday with a two-out RBI single in the seventh inning of a 2-1 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels.
Chi. Cubs at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
If the Milwaukee Brewers are going to stay in the National League Central race, they need to snap out of their second-half funk this weekend. The second-place Brewers host the Central-leading Chicago Cubs for the opener of a three-game series on Friday as they begin a critical six-game homestand against division rivals.
Arizona at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
J.D. Martinez is fitting in just fine for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who seek their third straight win when they continue a four-game series at the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. Martinez, acquired in a trade with Detroit last week, homered twice in Wednesday's 10-3 win over Atlanta and launched another shot to back some solid pitching in a 4-0 victory in the series opener with the Cardinals.
Minnesota at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
Jaime Garcia is poised to make his American League debut with the Minnesota Twins and the veteran left-hander will be under more pressure than simply wanting to make a positive impression on his new teammates. Acquired in a trade with Atlanta earlier in the week, Garcia will pitch the opener of a three-game series at the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.
NY Mets at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
The New York Mets began cleaning house early and figure to continue shedding themselves of veterans over the course of their three-game series against the host Seattle Mariners, which begins Friday. New York made the first of what likely will be several deals prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline on Thursday, sending Lucas Duda to Tampa Bay.
San Francisco at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
The gap between bitter National League West rivals Los Angeles and San Francisco couldn't be wider entering a three-game series Friday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers own the best record in the major leagues and are riding a five-game winning streak while the Giants are buried in last place in the division, a staggering 31 1/2 games behind Los Angeles.
Pittsburgh at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to monitor the trade market for outfield help, but in the meantime, they’ve decided to reach into their minor-league system for an immediate spark. The Pirates have lost four of five following a six-game winning streak and are expected to promote outfield prospect Jordan Luplow from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Friday’s series opener against the host San Diego Padres.